Visible-light-induced self-cleaning functional fabrics using graphene oxide/carbon nitride materials

Functional cotton fabrics consisting of neat polymeric carbon nitride (CN) combined with graphene oxide (GO) were prepared by a simple impregnation route. The CN-based coated fabrics were characterized by several techniques. The self-cleaning efficiency of these hybrid fabrics was assessed in the photocatalytic degradation of caffeine and rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solutions under visible light-emitting diodes (LEDs). It was demonstrated that GO, even if present at a low % v/v(0.1%), confers to the coated fabrics higher photocatalytic efficiency for degradation of both organic pollutants in comparison with CN coated fabrics. The photoluminescence quenching observed on coated GO/CN fabrics suggests an electron transfer between the CN and GO phases. In general, both coated CN and GO/CN fabrics show high stability after three uses with intensive washes between each run. The antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli using CN and GO/CN colloids was assessed. Results showed >99.2% of E. coli inactivation with CN-based colloids activated by visible radiation. [Display omitted] •Polymeric carbon nitride (CN) based colloids were immobilized on cotton fabrics.•Incorporation of graphene oxide (GO) enhanced the efficiency of the fabrics.•GO/CN coated fabrics showed efficient pollutant removal under visible light.•GO hinders the recombination of electron-hole pairs upon photo-excitation.•Light-activated CN-based colloids presented high disinfection against E. coli.